Siguiri ex-administrators return to prison as corruption trial is adjourned
Trial of 22 former territorial administrators and 202 gold panners resumes on November 16, 2026, after a lengthy day of confrontations.
The corruption trial of 22 former territorial administrators from Guinea's Siguiri administrative region and 202 gold panners has been adjourned to November 16, 2026. The accused face charges including corruption of public agents, illicit enrichment, money laundering, environmental damage and water pollution, and the former officials have been returned to prison.
At the Court of Repression of Economic and Financial Offences (CRIEF), the former administrators, who served as prefects, sub-prefects and interim governors, unanimously denied knowing about foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo carrying out illegal gold mining in their areas. The gold panners admitted to artisanal mining in Kintinian, Kourémalé and Soumbalakoba but said they did not know the administrators in charge where they were arrested.
Questioning also centred on excavators, known locally as 'poclains', found in the affected localities. The former officials said they inherited already degraded zones and found formal instructions banning the use of such machines in artisanal gold mining. Closing submissions and pleadings are expected next Monday, according to Mosaiqueguinee.
Why it mattersFormer administrators and the 202 accused gold panners face prosecution, with their detention and the next hearing date set by the court.